Riding in the Left Lane? Yes Please Because I'm a Jerk

In the past handful of decades, we've made unbelievable advances in all aspects of society. The advances in technology at break-neck speeds coupled with our ability to flawlessly adapt to these changes are staggering alone. The election of Obama and the current trend towards the legalization of same-sex marriages? That sentence would shock the entire 1950's into a coma! Yet, for all our society's progress in intelligence, adaptation and acceptance, we have yet to take one small step forward in a very simple, everyday occurrence; one rooted in common sense and basic civility. For some mind-numbing reason, we still proceed to RIDE IN THE LEFT LANE!

It's a simple concept really: the left lane is for passing only. This phrase shouldn't need to be qualified, discussed, or addressed any further. It is what it is. Seriously, can a statement be any simpler to read or free from ambiguity? Then why is it so hard for some people not to ride in the left lane?!? And I'm not talking about 4 in the morning on a desolate interstate riding the left lane, I'm taking about 7:30 rush hour, four full lanes of traffic riding the left lane.

Is there anything more infuriating than some jerk chatting away on his cell phone while he comfortable cruises the left lane? Or more aggravating than the moving van bottlenecking four miles of interstate by impersonating the little engine that could? The scenarios are endless, but the result the same: you're helplessly stuck driving behind some self-absorbed, inconsiderate jerk. And if you have never had the misfortune of staring at the wonderfully open interstate in front of self-absorbed, inconsiderate jerk hogging the left lane, guess what? You're the self-absorbed, inconsiderate jerk we all hate. So do us all a favor, GET OUT OF THE LEFT LANE!

And don't get me wrong, this isn't me trying to further a pro-speeding agenda. I'm not a fan of Speed Racer in the Honda civic rocking the 30 foot spoiler or the midlife crisis minivan bumper riders doing 105 as they swerve through traffic like they're competing for the Olympic down-hill slalom. My gripe about people riding in the left lane solely rests on their complete lack common sense and consideration for others. It's such a simple concept that my mind can't comprehend how our supposedly advanced society allows it. Where's the outrage? Where are the countless Facebook pages championing the cause? Where's the Tiananmen Square standoff in the left lane of I-95?

If you were walking and someone was behind you walking faster than you, would you not move to the side and let them pass? Or would you proceed to block their progress and force them to walk at your speed? Or what if someone was walking in front of you and they wouldn't let you pass? You'd be pretty upset at their inconsideration, wouldn't you? Given that analogy, why is driving in a car exempt? Why are all rules of common sense, civility and consideration magically dismissed once we hit the open road?

I guess the bigger question is why do people ride the left lane to begin with? What's the purpose? Arrogance? Entitlement? Ignorance? Do cars get better gas mileage in the left lane? Abnormal fear of the middle lane? After 16+ years of driving, I still have no idea. But one thing I do know is if I'm not passing anyone, I STAY OUT OF THE LEFT LANE!